Tension rod

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a tension rod that enables the rod to be extended in length after the rod tubes have been secured relative to each other.

FIELD

The present invention relates generally to a tension rod, and, more particularly, to a tension rod that enables the rod to be extended in length after the rod tubes have been secured relative to each other.

BACKGROUND

Tension rods are well known. Such tension rods are used, for example, as shower rods and closet rods. A tension rod enables the rod to be installed between two opposed supporting surfaces, such as opposed walls of a bathroom or shower/tub enclosure or closet, without attaching the rod to the supporting surfaces. Thus, the tension rod can be installed and removed without damaging the supporting surfaces. Typically, tension rods use a spring to create the tension needed to hold the rods in place between the opposed supporting surfaces.

Additionally, locking telescoping tubes are well known. Such locking telescoping tubes are used, for example, in walking sticks and ski poles. Locking telescoping tubes allow the tubes to be extended to an overall desired length and then locked in place relative to each other. Typically, locking telescoping tubes use a collet-like mechanism to lock the tubes in place relative to each other. In use, the tubes are extended to the overall desired length and then one tube is turned relative to the other tube until the collet-like mechanism locks. After the collet-like mechanism locks, the tubes are fixed relative to each other and the overall length of the tubes is fixed.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides a tension rod. In an exemplary embodiment, the tension rod includes an outer tube and an inner tube. The outer tube has a first diameter. The outer tube includes a first end and a second end. The inner tube has a second diameter. The second diameter is less than the first diameter so that the inner tube is operable to telescopically slide within the outer tube. The inner tube includes a first end and a second end. The tension rod further includes an expander, an expansible member, and a sleeve. The expander includes a first end portion, a middle portion, and a second end portion. The middle portion has external threads. The second end portion is operable to be connected to the first end of the inner tube. The expansible member is hollow. The expansible member includes a first portion and a second portion. The second portion has internal threads. The expansible member is operable to receive the expander. The sleeve is compressible. The sleeve is generally cylindrical shaped. The sleeve is operable to be received within the outer tube and is operable to receive the expansible member. At least one of an external surface of the expander and an internal surface of the expansible member has a taper. When the inner tube and the outer tube are rotated relative to each other, the expander and the expansible member rotate relative to each other, the first end portion of the expander and the first portion of the expansible member move relative to each other, the first portion of the expansible member radially expands, and the sleeve compresses, thereby exerting a radial force against the outer tube and securing the inner tube within the outer tube.

In another exemplary embodiment, the tension rod includes an outer tube and an inner tube. The outer tube has a first diameter. The outer tube includes a first end and a second end. The inner tube has a second diameter. The second diameter is less than the first diameter so that the inner tube is operable to telescopically slide within the outer tube. The inner tube includes a first end and a second end. The tension rod further includes an expander, an expansible member, and a sleeve. The expander includes a first end portion, a middle portion, and a second end portion. The first end portion has an external taper. The middle portion has external threads. The second end portion is operable to be connected to the first end of the inner tube. The expansible member is hollow. The expansible member includes a first portion and a second portion. The second portion has internal threads. The expansible member is operable to receive the middle portion of the expander. The sleeve is compressible. The sleeve is generally cylindrical shaped. The sleeve is operable to be received within the outer tube and is operable to receive the first portion of the expansible member. When the inner tube and the outer tube are rotated relative to each other, the expander and the expansible member rotate relative to each other, the first end portion of the expander and the first portion of the expansible member move relative to each other, the first portion of the expansible member radially expands, and the sleeve compresses, thereby exerting a radial force against the outer tube and securing the inner tube within the outer tube.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-1B are views of a tension rod in an assembled state according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention—FIG. 1A is a front elevational view and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view along the line 1B-1B in FIG. 1A;

FIGS. 2A-2E are views of exemplary embodiments of an expander, an expansible member, and a sleeve for use in the tension rod of FIG. 1-FIG. 2A is a perspective view, FIG. 2B is a front elevational view, FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view along the line 2C-2C in FIG. 2B, FIG. 2D is a top plan view, and FIG. 2E is a cross-sectional view along the line 2E-2E in FIG. 2D;

FIGS. 3A-3D are views of the exemplary embodiment of the expander for use in the tension rod of FIG. 1-FIG. 3A is a perspective view, FIG. 3B is a front elevational view, FIG. 3C is a top plan view, and FIG. 3D is a cross-sectional view along the line 3D-3D in FIG. 3C;

FIGS. 4A-4D are views of the exemplary embodiment of a first half of the expansible member for use in the tension rod of FIG. 1-FIG. 4A is a perspective view, FIG. 4B is a bottom plan view, FIG. 4C is a front elevational view, and FIG. 4D is a top plan view;

FIGS. 5A-5D are views of the exemplary embodiment of a second half of the expansible member for use in the tension rod of FIG. 1-FIG. 5A is a perspective view, FIG. 5B is a top plan view, FIG. 5C is a front elevational view, and FIG. 5D is a bottom plan view; and

FIGS. 6A-6C are views of the exemplary embodiment of the sleeve for use in the tension rod of FIG. 1-FIG. 6A is a perspective view, FIG. 6B is a front elevational view, and FIG. 6C is a cross-sectional view along the line 6C-6C in FIG. 6B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention provides a tension rod. An exemplary embodiment of a tension rod 10 of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1-6. The exemplary embodiment of the tension rod 10 is shown in detail in an assembled state in FIGS. 1A-1B. In the illustrated embodiment, the tension rod 10 includes an outer tube 12, an inner tube 14, and escutcheons 16. The outer tube 12 has a diameter d_(o) and includes a first end 18 and a second end 20. The inner tube 14 has a diameter d_(i) and includes a first end 22 and a second end 24. The diameter d_(i) of the inner tube 14 is slightly less than the diameter d_(o) of the outer tube 12 so that the inner tube 14 can telescopically slide within the outer tube 12. In an exemplary embodiment, the outer tube 12 and the inner tube 14 are formed of a metal. Exemplary metals include stainless steel and carbon steel. In the illustrated embodiment, the tension rod 10 further includes an expander 26, an expansible member 28, and a sleeve 30. Exemplary embodiments of the expander 26, the expansible member 28, and the sleeve 30 are shown in detail in an assembled state in FIGS. 2A-2E.

The exemplary embodiment of the expander 26 is shown in detail in FIGS. 3A-3D. The expander 26 includes a first end portion 32, a middle portion 34, and a second end portion 36. In the illustrated embodiment, the first end portion 32 has an external taper 38. Additionally, the middle portion 34 has external threads 40 and a constant diameter. Further, the second end portion 36 is operable to be connected to the first end 22 of the inner tube 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the second end portion 36 includes a plug 42 having a slightly smaller diameter than the inner tube 14 and a flange 44 between the middle portion 34 and the plug 42. The plug 42 is operable to be inserted into the inner tube 14. The flange 44 provides a limit for insertion of the plug 42 into the inner tube 14. In an exemplary embodiment, the expander is formed of a thermoplastic. Exemplary thermoplastics include polyoxymethylenes (POMs).

The exemplary embodiment of the expansible member 28 is shown in detail in FIGS. 4A-4D and 5A-5D. The expansible member 28 is hollow. In the illustrated embodiment, the expansible member 28 includes a first half 46 and a second half 48. However, the expansible member 28 could include two (2) components that are divided unequally or a different number of components, or the expansible member 28 could be an integrally formed member. In the illustrated embodiment, the expansible member 28 has a constant diameter. The expansible member 28 includes a first portion 50 and a second portion 52. In the illustrated embodiment, the first portion 50 includes (2) slots 54, one slot 54 in each of the first half 46 and the second half 48 of the first portion 50. The slots 54 form four (4) fingers 56, two (2) fingers 56 in each of the first half 46 and the second half 48 of the first portion 50. However, the first portion 50 could have no slots or a different number of slots thus forming no fingers or a different number of fingers. The slots 54 assist the first portion 50, more specifically the fingers 56, in radially expanding during installation. Additionally, the second portion 52 has internal threads 58. In the illustrated embodiment, the expansible member 28 includes a first flange 60 near an end of the first portion 50 and a second flange 62 around the second portion 52. The first flange 60 and the second flange 62 help locate the sleeve 30 on the expansible member 28. The expansible member 28 is operable to receive the expander 26 (primarily, the middle portion 34 of the expander 26). In the illustrated embodiment, the expansible member 28 includes ribs 64 on an external surface. The ribs 64 provide friction between the expansible member 28 and the sleeve 30. As a result, the expansible member 28 resists rotational movement within the sleeve 30 during installation. In an exemplary embodiment, the expansible member 28 is formed of a thermoplastic. Exemplary thermoplastics include polyoxymethylenes (POMs).

The exemplary embodiment of the sleeve 30 is shown in detail in FIGS. 6A-6C. The sleeve 30 is formed of a compressible material. In an exemplary embodiment, the sleeve 30 is formed of an elastomer having a durometer generally in the range of 70-80. Exemplary elastomers include polyvinyl elastomers (PVEs) and thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs). In the illustrated embodiment, the sleeve 30 is generally cylindrical shaped and has a constant diameter. The sleeve 30 is operable to be received within the outer tube 12. Further, the sleeve 30 is operable to receive the expansible member 28 (primarily, the first portion 50 of the expansible member 28 between the first flange 60 and the second flange 62). In the illustrated embodiment, the sleeve 30 includes ribs 66 on an external surface. The ribs 66 provide friction between the sleeve 30 and the outer tube 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the ribs 66 extend in a longitudinal direction. As a result, the sleeve 30 can move longitudinally when the sleeve 30 is being inserted into the outer tube 12 during assembly, but resists rotational movement within the outer tube 12 during installation.

In order to assemble the tension rod 10, the second end portion 36 of the expander 26 is connected to the first end 22 of the inner tube 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the plug 42 of the expander 26 is inserted into the first end 22 of the inner tube 14 until the flange 44 on the expander 26 abuts the first end 22 of the inner tube 14. At least a portion of the first end 22 of the inner tube 14 is then crimped around the plug 42 to secure the plug 42 within the first end 22 of the inner tube 14. The expansible member 28 is placed around the expander 26. In the illustrated embodiment, the first half 46 and the second half 48 of the expansible member 28 are placed around the expander 26 (primarily, around the middle portion 34 of the expander 26). The sleeve 30 is placed around the expansible member 28 (primarily, around the first portion 50 of the expansible member 28 between the first flange 60 and the second flange 62). The first end 22 of the inner tube 14 is inserted into the second end 20 of the outer tube 12. The tension rod 10 is now assembled.

In order to install the tension rod 10, the tension rod 10 is placed between the opposed supporting surfaces of the installation area. The inner tube 14 is moved relative to the outer tube 12 until the overall length of the tension rod 10 is the same as the overall desired length, i.e. the distance between the opposed supporting surfaces. The inner tube 14 is then rotated relative to the outer tube 12. The rotation of the inner tube 14 causes the expander 26 to rotate within the expansible member 28, the first end portion 32 of the expander 26 to move into the first portion 50 of the expansible member 28, the first portion 50 of the expansible member 28 to radially expand, and the sleeve 30 to compress, until the inner tube 14 and the outer tube 12 are secured relative to each other. The inner tube 14 is then further rotated relative to the outer tube 12. The continued rotation of the inner tube 14 causes the expander 26 to further rotate within the expansible member 28, the first end portion 32 of the expander 26 to further move into the first portion 50 of the expansible member 28, and the overall length of the tension rod 10 to further increase. After installation, the combination of the expander 26, the expansible member 28, and the sleeve 30 exerts a radial force against the outer tube 12 and secures the inner tube 14 within the outer tube 12. Moreover, the tension rod 10 exerts a radial force against the opposed supporting surfaces and secures the tension rod 10 between the opposed supporting surfaces. The tension rod 10 is now installed.

Although the tension rod 10 has been shown and described with an external taper 38 on the first end portion 32 of the expander 26 and the expansible member 28 having a constant diameter, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the expander 26 could have a constant diameter and the expansible member 28 could have an internal taper. Moreover, both the expander 26 and the expansible member 28 could have a taper.

Further, although the assembly and installation of the tension rod 10 have been described with reference to one component moving or rotating relative to another component, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that either component could be moved or rotated relative to the other component. For example, instead of the inner tube 14 being inserted into the outer tube 12 and the inner tube 14 being rotated relative to the outer tube 12, the outer tube 12 could be placed over the inner tube 14 and the outer tube 12 could be rotated relative to the inner tube 14. Similarly, instead of the expander 26 rotating within the expansible member 28 and the first end portion 32 of the expander 26 moving into the first portion 50 of the expansible member 28, the expansible member 28 could rotate around the expander 26 and the first portion 50 of the expansible member 28 could move over the first end portion 32 of the expander 26.

One of ordinary skill in the art will now appreciate that the present invention provides a tension rod that enables the rod to be extended in length after the rod tubes have been secured relative to each other. Although the present invention has been shown and described with reference to a particular embodiment, equivalent alterations and modifications will occur to those skill in the art upon reading and understanding this specification. The present invention includes all such equivalent alterations and modifications and is limited only by the scope of the following claims in light of their full scope of equivalents. 

1. A tension rod, comprising: an outer tube having a first diameter, the outer tube including a first end and a second end; an inner tube having a second diameter, the second diameter being less than the first diameter so that the inner tube is operable to telescopically slide within the outer tube, the inner tube including a first end and a second end; an expander, the expander including a first end portion, a middle portion, and a second end portion, the middle portion having external threads, and the second end portion being operable to be connected to the first end of the inner tube; an expansible member, the expansible member being hollow, the expansible member including a first portion and a second portion, the second portion having internal threads, the expansible member being operable to receive the expander; and a sleeve, the sleeve being compressible, the sleeve being generally cylindrical shaped, the sleeve being operable to be received within the outer tube and being operable to receive the expansible member; wherein at least one of an external surface of the expander and an internal surface of the expansible member has a taper; and wherein, when the inner tube and the outer tube are rotated relative to each other, the expander and the expansible member rotate relative to each other, the first end portion of the expander and the first portion of the expansible member move relative to each other, the first portion of the expansible member radially expands, and the sleeve compresses, thereby exerting a radial force against the outer tube and securing the inner tube within the outer tube.
 2. The tension rod of claim 1, wherein the external surface of the expander has the taper.
 3. The tension rod of claim 2, wherein an external surface of the first end portion of the expander has the taper.
 4. The tension rod of claim 1, wherein the middle portion of the expander has a constant diameter.
 5. The tension rod of claim 1, wherein the internal surface of the expansible member has the taper.
 6. The tension rod of claim 5, wherein an internal surface of the first portion of the expansible member has the taper.
 7. The tension rod of claim 1, wherein the expansible member has a constant diameter.
 8. The tension rod of claim 1, wherein the first portion of the expansible member includes at least one slot forming at least two fingers.
 9. The tension rod of claim 1, wherein the expansible member includes ribs on an external surface.
 10. The tension rod of claim 1, wherein the sleeve is an elastomer having a durometer generally in the range of 70-80.
 11. The tension rod of claim 1, wherein the sleeve has a constant diameter.
 12. The tension rod of claim 1, wherein the sleeve includes ribs on an external surface.
 13. A tension rod, comprising: an outer tube having a first diameter, the outer tube including a first end and a second end; an inner tube having a second diameter, the second diameter being less than the first diameter so that the inner tube is operable to telescopically slide within the outer tube, the inner tube including a first end and a second end; an expander, the expander including a first end portion, a middle portion, and a second end portion, the first end portion having an external taper, the middle portion having external threads, and the second end portion being operable to be connected to the first end of the inner tube; an expansible member, the expansible member being hollow, the expansible member including a first portion and a second portion, the second portion having internal threads, the expansible member being operable to receive the middle portion of the expander; and a sleeve, the sleeve being compressible, the sleeve being generally cylindrical shaped, the sleeve being operable to be received within the outer tube and being operable to receive the first portion of the expansible member; wherein, when the inner tube and the outer tube are rotated relative to each other, the expander and the expansible member rotate relative to each other, the first end portion of the expander and the first portion of the expansible member move relative to each other, the first portion of the expansible member radially expands, and the sleeve compresses, thereby exerting a radial force against the outer tube and securing the inner tube within the outer tube.
 14. The tension rod of claim 13, wherein the middle portion of the expander has a constant diameter.
 15. The tension rod of claim 13, wherein the expansible member has a constant diameter.
 16. The tension rod of claim 13, wherein the first portion of the expansible member includes at least one slot forming at least two fingers.
 17. The tension rod of claim 13, wherein the expansible member includes ribs on an external surface.
 18. The tension rod of claim 13, wherein the sleeve is an elastomer having a durometer generally in the range of 70-80.
 19. The tension rod of claim 13, wherein the sleeve has a constant diameter.
 20. The tension rod of claim 13, wherein the sleeve includes ribs on an external surface. 